If you’re springing a leak when you laugh, sneeze, or exercise, you’re probably among the millions of women experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI). There are a lot of options out there to help manage SUI symptoms—pads, liners, and Kegel exercises among them. But one solution that’s gotten a lot of traction lately is the bladder support. So if you’ve been googling “what are bladder supports”, we’ve pulled together all the information you need to know about what a bladder support is and how (and how not) to use one.
What are bladder supports?
Well, that depends. The term “bladder support” refers to a nonsurgical intervention used to stop or limit bladder leaks. Most often, it’s a device placed inside the vagina to press up against the bladder and urethra, mimicking the pressure of a muscle in the area. A bladder support is usually a tampon-like product that, once inserted into the vagina, presses the urethra shut. Essentially, a bladder support stops leaks before they happen. “Bladder support” can also sometimes refer more specifically to pessaries, which are small, plastic devices—often rings—that are fitted into the vagina by a doctor. Pessaries have been used for centuries to hold pelvic organs in place and prevent pelvic organ prolapse, and they can also help mitigate SUI to some extent.
Why does my bladder need “support”?
Urinary incontinence happens for a number of reasons, but it often just comes down to unwanted pressure being placed on the bladder (for instance by sneezing or laughing) or an irritation that causes a pretty-much-constant urge to urinate. SUI is compounded by the fact that muscles in the pelvis don’t always do their job of holding the urethra closed until it’s time to pee. In some women, these muscles are stretched or loosened due to pregnancy, childbirth, weight gain, age, or many other factors. Doctors might recommend muscle-strengthening exercises, medication, or surgery (in particularly serious cases), but a bladder support is a popular option that can work wonders for SUI, especially for light or infrequent leaks.
What kinds of bladder supports are out there?
Uresta is a plastic bladder support that gets inserted like a tampon, but it’s not disposable. You can control when it’s in or out (for example, only use it when you exercise or only at work for peace of mind). Uresta comes in three different sizes and needs to be replaced once a year. Impressa is another easy-to-use bladder support, made by Poise, which also makes urinary incontinence pads and liners. Impressa has only been around for a couple of years, but it’s got plenty going for it: It has three different sizes, looks and works pretty much just like a tampon, and is disposable (one can be worn for up to 12 hours). Once inside the vagina, it pops open to press against the urethra. While using a tampon for this purpose can also work in some cases, Impressa has a little bit more bulk for that extra pressure to tightly shut the urethra. A variety of pessaries are out there, too, but you should talk to your doctor about whether and what kind might be right for you.
How much do bladder supports cost?
A 10-pack of Poise Impressa bladder supports runs about $15 at a drugstore (so if you use one every day, it’ll run you about $547 for a year’s supply.) Uresta costs about $300 for one bladder support device that lasts a year.
Can I use bladder supports if I’m pregnant?
No. Even though so many women start experiencing SUI when they’re pregnant, Impressa and Uresta shouldn’t be used until after the baby is born (if you still need it). Luckily, there are other awesome products to keep you feeling dry while the baby’s cooking like liners or absorbent maternity underwear.
Are bladder supports comfortable and safe?
Usually! Both Uresta and Impressa come in a variety of sizes and offer “sizing kits” to make sure you’re using the right one. Once you figure out your size, both types of bladder supports should feel like a tampon, meaning that you shouldn’t really feel it after insertion. However, there are always exceptions, and quite a few women have reported discomfort with Impressa. If you’re feeling uncomfortable with a bladder support, stop using it and give your doctor a call. And as with any object inserted into the vagina (including tampons), beware of toxic shock syndrome, even though no connection between TSS and bladder supports has been found.
Are there any times I shouldn’t use bladder supports?
Though bladder supports can work wonders to stop leaks day or night, whether you’re running a marathon or running errands, they shouldn’t be used during sex, when you’re pregnant, when you’re on your period, if you’ve had recent vaginal surgery, or if you have discharge, dryness, or an infection. They’re totally fine to keep inside you when you’re peeing, pooping, or sleeping, though. And bladder supports are also really only useful for SUI, so if you have urge incontinence or overactive bladder, they might not do the trick.
What are alternatives to bladder supports?
Bladder supports are only one of many products out there that can keep you feeling fresh and dry as you go about your day. If you’re looking for something less invasive or maybe discovered that bladder supports aren’t quite your style, try something else! There are disposable pads and liners designed specifically for UI, cloth pads that you can wash and reuse, absorbent underwear that looks like the real deal, or little devices that will help you perfect your Kegels and bring your pelvic muscles back to fighting form.
How does Poise Impressa work?
One popular form of bladder supports, Poise Impressa, works in the same way as any other bladder support. One reader wrote an entire review about her experience with the product...you can check it out here!